Runner Bean: Free Tours in Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the top list destinations for any traveller. The Mediterranean weather, beaches, food and wonderful architecture is something that you just can’t resist. There are many ways of visiting Barcelona but a very popular one is joining one of the free walking tours organised by Runner Bean Tours, a small family company of local guides that offers two highly recommended free tours in Barcelona: one dedicated to the works of the Catalan genius Antoni Gaudí and the other more historical one around the medieval area of the city.

These walking tours are great fun and are based on donations where, at the end of each walk, you can pay the guide what you think the value of the tour was.

The Gaudí Free Tour brings you along the four main works of the architect in Barcelona: Palau Güell, Casa Batlló, Casa Milà and the unmissable Sagrada Familia.

In the Old City Free Tour the guide brings you along the medieval neighbourhood, also known as the Barri Gótic, where the Cathedral, Roman walls and Jewish Quarter are the main attractions. Both tours are fascinating and a great introduction for newcomers.

These walks are offered every day at 11am (October to March) and there is also an evening tour at 4:30pm during the warmer months (April to October). Reservations are not necessary and you can turn up at the designated meeting point (Plaça Reial) but, as the numbers of participants are limited on each tour, it is recommended arriving early or booking your place through the company’s website.